High-clarity aqueous concentrates of 4-hexylresorcinol

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to hexylresorcinol/water concentrates that are high in clarity, easily handled, and readily blended with other ingredients to form skin care compositions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aqueous concentrates of 4-hexylresorcinol that are high in clarity, easily handled, and readily blended with other ingredients to make personal care, consumer and household compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

4-Hexylresorcinol is a compound that has been described for topical use to lighten skin, for use in oral antiseptic lozenges, and other uses. However, 4-hexylresorcinol has been described and recognized as “water insoluble.” As such, formulation of 4-hexylresorcinol in combination with water has been rather limited. Typically, formulation of 4-hexylresorcinol with water has involved, for example, premixing 4-hexylresorcinol in a glycol such as ethoxydiglycol, and diluting this mixture to low concentrations of 4-hexylresorcinol by adding various other ingredients, including water. The process may also involve heating as well.

It has now been discovered, however, that mixtures of 4-hexylresorcinol and water may be made, particularly mixtures having high concentrations of 4-hexylresorcinol. Such mixtures may, for example, be used to deliver 4-hexylresorcinol to formulations without the need for additional solvents, solublizers, and the like. In particular, an aqueous concentrate comprising about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol is easily handled and used to make a variety formulations and compositions. Advantageously, such an aqueous concentrate is surprisingly high in clarity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a 4-hexylresorcinol aqueous concentrate comprising from about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol, and water, wherein the aqueous concentrate is high in clarity.

The invention also provides a 4-hexylresorcinol aqueous concentrate comprising 4-hexylresorcinol and water, wherein the 4-hexylresorcinol and water are present in a concentration by weight ratio of about 1.7 to about 4, and wherein the concentrate is high in clarity.

The invention further provides a method of making a composition, comprising mixing a high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol with a secondary composition, wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises (i) about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol and (ii) water; and the secondary composition comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

The invention also provides a method of making a composition, comprising mixing a high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-hexyresorcinol with a secondary composition, wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises 4-hexylresorcinol and water and the 4-hexylresorcinol and water are present in a concentration by weight ratio of about 1.7 to about 4; and the secondary composition comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

The invention further provides a composition comprising: a high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol comprising (i) about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol and (ii) water; and a secondary composition comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that one skilled in the art can, based upon the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Also, all publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference. Unless otherwise indicated, percentages used to express concentrations of ingredients are percentage by weight (i.e., % (W/W). Similarly concentration ratios used to express relative proportions of ingredients are also determined using percentage by weight (i.e., concentration ratios are calculated by dividing the percentage by weight of one ingredients by another). Unless stated otherwise, all ranges are inclusive of the endpoints, e.g., “from 4 to 9” includes the endpoints 4 and 9.

As used herein, “substantially free” means present in a concentration that is less than about 1%, preferably less than about 0.5%, more preferably less than about 0.1%, most preferably completely absent.

As used herein, a “product” is optionally in finished packaged form. In one embodiment, the package is a container such as a plastic, metal or glass tube or jar containing the composition. The product may further contain additional packaging such as a plastic or cardboard box for storing such container. In one embodiment, the product comprises a composition of the invention and contains instructions directing the user to apply the composition to the skin or hair.

As used herein, “topically applying” means directly laying on or spreading on outer skin, the scalp, or hair, e.g., by use of the hands or an applicator such as a wipe, roller, or spray.

As used herein, “cosmetically acceptable” means that the ingredients the term describes are suitable for use in contact with tissues (e.g., the skin or hair) without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic response, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the aqueous concentrates and compositions of the present invention are suitable for treating signs of skin aging. As used herein, “signs of skin aging” includes the presence of lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven skin, and blotchiness. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sign of aging is the presence of lines and wrinkles and/or loss of elasticity.

As used herein, “treating signs of skin aging” refers to mitigating, reducing, preventing, improving, or eliminating the presence or signs of skin aging described above.

As used herein, “wrinkle” includes fine lines, fine wrinkles, or coarse wrinkles. Examples of wrinkles include, but are not limited to, fine lines around the eyes (e.g., “crow's feet”), forehead and cheek wrinkles, frown-lines, and laugh-lines around the mouth.

As used herein, “loss of elasticity” includes loss of elasticity or structural integrity of the skin or tissue, including but not limited to sagging, lax and loose tissue. The loss of elasticity or tissue structure integrity may be a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to disease, aging, hormonal changes, mechanical trauma, environmental damage, or the result of an application of products, such as a cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, to the tissue.

As used herein, “uneven skin” means a condition of the skin associated with diffuse or mottled pigmentation, which may be classified as hyperpigmentation, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

As used herein, “blotchiness” means a condition of the skin associated with redness or erythema.

As used herein, “cosmetic” refers to a beautifying substance or preparation which preserves, restores, bestows, simulates, or enhances the appearance of bodily beauty or appears to enhance the beauty or youthfulness, specifically as it relates to the appearance of tissue or skin.

As used herein, “cosmetically effective amount” means an amount of a physiologically active compound or composition sufficient for treating one or more signs of skin aging, but low enough to avoid serious side effects. The cosmetically effective amount of the compound or composition will vary with the particular condition being treated, the age and physical condition of the end user, the severity of the condition being treated/prevented, the duration of the treatment, the nature of other treatments, the specific compound or product/composition employed, the particular cosmetically-acceptable carrier utilized, and like factors.

High Clarity Concentrates of 4-Hexylresorcinol and Water

4-Hexylresorcinol (“4-HR”) is a dihydroxy phenol compound having the following structure:

4-HR may be made by a process known in the art. An example of a suitable process is described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0129002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 4-HR is commercially available, e.g., as “SYNOVEA HR” from Sytheon of Lincoln Park, N.J.

4-HR is characterized as water-insoluble in the prior art. The inventors have, however, found that while 4-HR is clearly water-insoluble across the majority of possible concentrations/mixture ratios with water, quite surprisingly, a particular “window of compatibility” exists in which 4-HR and water form a high clarity mixture.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a high clarity 4-hexylresorcinol aqueous concentrate comprises about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-HR.

The remainder of the aqueous concentrate preferably comprises water. The percentage by weight of water in the concentrate may be from about 1% to about 36%, preferably from about 16% to about 36%, most preferably from about 20% to about 36%.

In another aspect of the invention, a high clarity 4-hexylresorcinol aqueous concentrate comprises 4-hexylresorcinol and water, wherein 4-hexylresorcinol and water are present in a concentration by weight ratio of about 1.7 to about 4.

In certain embodiments, the aqueous concentrate comprises about 64% to about 80% by weight 4-HR and the remainder consists essentially of water, i.e., the remainder consists of water and one or more additional ingredients that do not interfere with or diminish the high clarity character of the concentrate.

In one embodiment, such additional ingredients are limited to: (1) small concentrations of ionic salts (e.g., salts of Na, K, Cl, Ca, Mg, Zn, and the like) that are collectively present in concentrations of less than about 0.1% by weight of the concentrate, and/or (2) phenol-containing compounds such as 4-hexylbenzene-1,3-diol and others typically present as impurities in 4-HR, that are collectively present in concentrations of less than about 3% by weight of the concentrate, preferably less than 2% by weight of the concentrate, preferably less than about 1% by weight of the concentrate, most preferably less than about 0.5% by weight of the concentrate.

In certain other embodiments the additional ingredients include one or more biologically active ingredients that may, for example, be soluble in the 4-HR. Examples of suitable biologically active ingredients include salicylic acid, organic sunscreens, and retinoids.

The additional ingredients are preferably collectively present in concentrations of less than about 20% by weight, preferably less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, even more preferably less than about 3%, most preferably less than about 1% by weight, of the aqueous concentrate.

In certain embodiments, the additional ingredients are collectively present in the concentrate in a concentration by weight ratio of 4-HR to additional ingredients of at least about 3.2:1, preferably at least about 6:1, more preferably at least about 12:1, more preferably at least about 20:1, and most preferably at least about 30:1.

The aqueous concentrate is high in clarity. In one embodiment, the aqueous concentrate transmits at least 25% (preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%) of light having a wavelength of 700 nm through a 1 cm path length. To a typical human observer at a distance of 12 inches away, the aqueous concentrate appears clear and generally without any visible layers when placed in, for example, a conventional clear plastic 100 mL container.

Clarity may be tested using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer set at 700 nm. After a sample is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature for at least about 24 hours, it is placed in a test cell (1 cm. cuvette) and % transmission is measured using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer.

Since the aqueous concentrate is high in clarity, it does not require the addition of ingredients to increase clarity. For example, in certain embodiments the aqueous concentrate is substantially free of compatabilizers, i.e., ingredients that compatabilize hydrophobic and hydrophilic ingredients. In particular, in certain embodiments the aqueous concentrate is substantially free of one, more than one, or all of the following compatabilizers: surface tension depressing agents (surfactants and emulsifiers), C₂-C₆ alcohols (e.g., aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol), glycols (i.e., compounds having more than one hydroxyl group, each attached to a different carbon atom; e.g, glycerin, diols including propylene or butylene glycol); glycol ethers (e.g., diethylene glycol monoethyl ether); and hydrotropes such as sodium xylene sulfonate or sodium cumene sulfonate.

The aqueous concentrate may be prepared by mixing water, 4-HR, and any optional additional ingredients that do not diminish the high clarity the aqueous concentrate at room temperature using a magnetic stir bar, propeller mixer, etc. The order of addition is not critical. In certain embodiments, the additional ingredients are added after the 4-HR and water have been mixed together.

Methods of Use

The high clarity 4-HR aqueous concentrates can be used to make compositions, such as for products for health care, personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or household end uses.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of making a composition is provided, which method comprises mixing a high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol with a secondary composition, wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises (i) about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol and (ii) water; and the secondary composition comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

Alternatively, a high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-hexyresorcinol may be mixed with a secondary composition, wherein the aqueous concentrate comprises 4-hexylresorcinol and water present in a concentration by weight ratio of about 1.7 to about 4; and the secondary composition comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, fragrances, and combinations thereof.

The secondary composition comprises one or more ingredients that, when combined with the aqueous concentrate, enhances its properties for one or more end uses, e.g., renders it more cosmetically acceptable, more pharmaceutically acceptable, more suitable for bio-delivery, more surface active, more aesthetic, more convenient, etc.

The secondary composition may include one or more of the following ingredients, particularly those suitable for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or household products: hydrophobic agents, glycols, surface-tension depressing agents, C₂-C₆ alcohols, fragrances, and combinations thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the secondary composition includes one or more hydrophobic agents, surface-tension depressing agents, and/or fragrances.

Suitable hydrophobic agents include those hydrocarbons suitable for use in cosmetic products, such as those having branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated, carbon chains from about C₇ to about C₅₀, more preferably from about C₈ to about C₂₂, such as oils, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, waxes, or silicone oils such as ones suitable to provide emolliency, spreadability, or phase stability. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic agent does not qualify as a surface-tension depressing agent as described below.

Suitable glycols include those capable of providing humectancy, such as those exemplified above with respect to glycols suitable as compatabilizers. Suitable C₂-C₆ alcohols include those suitable to provide solvency or spreadability, also including those exemplified above as compatabilizers. Suitable fragrances include pleasant smelling mixtures of volatile aldehydes, esters and the like, including those commonly used in health care, personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or household products.

Suitable surface-tension depressing agents include any of a variety of surface-active agents capable of reducing surface tension, providing emulsification, increasing or decreasing foam, enhancing cleansing or detergency, and the like. In one embodiment, the surface-tension depressing agent is capable of reducing the surface tension of deionized water to less than about 45 dynes/cm when mixed with pure deionized water in a concentration of surface-tension depressing agent that is less than 0.5%.

The secondary composition may have additional ingredients commonly used in health care, personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or household products, e.g., dyes, chelating agents, dispersants, cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agents and the like. Non-limiting examples of cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agents for use in the secondary composition include anti-acne agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-mycotic agents, anti-parasite agents, external analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, vitamins, anti-perspiration agents, deodorants, skin (de)pigmentation agents anti-aging/anti-wrinkle agents, and pH adjusters, preservatives, and anti-oxidants. These active agents may be present in cosmetically effective amounts or otherwise in amounts suitable to provide suitable biological effects.

A high clarity aqueous concentrate of 4-HR may be mixed with a sufficient amount of a secondary composition to produce a formulated composition suitable for use in the health care, personal care, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or household fields.

In one embodiment, the aqueous concentrate (alone or optionally after mixing with a secondary composition) is applied to a substrate, such as a substrate useful for wiping skin or hair. The substrate may comprise a non-woven fabric, such as those known in the art of personal care wipes.

The composition comprising the aqueous concentrate may be a single or multi-phasic system, e.g., solution, dispersion, emulsion (0/W, W/O, etc.), microemulsion, liposomal system, or gel, including any of lotions, creams, gels, sticks, sprays, ointments.

The composition may be prepared using methodologies known in the art.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the composition may be used topically, that is, applied to mammalian skin in need of treatment for one or more signs of skin aging, acne, or other skin conditions.

The composition may be applied to skin in need of treatment according to a suitable treatment regimen, e.g., every month, every week, every other day, every day, twice a day, or the like.

It is believed that one skilled in the art can, based upon the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the invention.

Example I

4-HR (“SYNOVEA HR” from Sytheon of Lincoln Park, N.J.) was mixed with water in varying concentrations. Samples were allowed to sit at ambient conditions for about 7 days prior to performing visible inspection and a light transmission test as follows.

First, the visual appearance of each sample was noted. Samples were then agitated by lightly shaking to provide a representative % Transmission for each mixture. About 30 seconds after completing the agitation, each sample was placed in a 1 cm cuvette of a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer (Agilent 8453, available from Agilent technologies, Santa Clara, Calif.) set for % Transmission at 700 nm wavelength.

Results of the visual analysis and light transmission test are shown below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Concentration % 4-HR Ratio Example (Source) % Water 4-HR:Water APPREARANCE TRANSMISSION % Comparative  0.65 99.35 0.0065 Cloudy mixture Example, C1 (SYNOVEA HR) Comparative 20 80 0.25 Large, cloudy top 0.1 Example, C2 (SYNOVEA layer; Small, clear HR) amber bottom layer Comparative 50 50 1 Very small clear — Example, C3 (SYNOVEA amber topmost layer; HR) Small, cloudy middle layer; Large, clear amber bottom layer Inventive 64 36 1.78 Homogenous, clear, — Example, E1 (SYNOVEA amber HR) Inventive 80 20 4 Homogenous, clear, 75 Example, E2 (SYNOVEA amber HR) Comparative 50 50 1 Very small clear — Example, C4 (Sigma- amber topmost layer; Aldrich) Small, cloudy middle layer; Large, clear amber bottom layer Inventive 64 36 1.78 Homogenous, clear, — Example, E3 (Sigma- amber Aldrich)

The results show that, while the prior art characterizes 4-HR as water insoluble, surprising compatibility exists for the 4-HR/water mixtures containing 64%-80% 4-HR (4-HR to water weight ratios of 1.78 to 4).

Example II

4-Octylresorcinol and 3-methoxyphenol (from Sigma-Aldrich of St. Louis, Mo.) were separately mixed with water at 50% and 75% concentrations. None of the mixtures were clear, and all showed “layering” similar to what was observed for Comparative Example, C3 (above).

Example III

The following composition according to the invention was made using the ingredients shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Formula TRADE NAME INCI NAME % Purified Water Water 75.66 Pemulen TR-1 Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate 0.08 Crosspolymer Edeta BD Disodium EDTA 0.1 Hyaluronic Acid BT Sodium Hyaluronate 0.1 Dry Flo Pure Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate 1 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol 2 Glycerin 99.5% Glycerin 5 Olivem 1000 Cetearyl Olivate; Sorbitan Olivate 0.5 Aristoflex AVC Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP 0.6 Copolymer Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide 0.04 Purified Water Water 0.36 DC 345 Fluid Cyclopentasiloxane; Cyclohexasiloxane 5 DC 200 50 cps Dimethicone 2 DC 1403 Dimethicone; Dimethiconol 2 Neolone MxP Phenoxyethanol; Methylparaben; 0.6 Propylparaben; Methylisothiazolinone Portulaca Extract Portulaca Oleracea Extract; Butylene 1 Glycol; Water Prodew 300 Sodium Lactate; Sodium PCA; Sorbitol; 0.6 Proline Sepitonic M3 Magnesium Aspartate; Zinc Gluconate; 1 Water; Copper Gluconate; Phenoxyethanol Alpha Bisabolol Bisabolol 0.25 2/012685 Seamollient Water; Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) 1 Extract; Propylene Glycol; Citric Acid Net-DG Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 0.01 Fragrance Fragrance 0.1 Inventive 4-HR 4-Hexylresorcinol and water 1 (75%) water (25%) hi clarity aqueous mixture

The composition was made as follows:

1. WATER was added to the main mixing vessel and the stirrer was turned on. 2. PEMULEN TR-1 POLYMER was sprinkled into the mixing vessel, and the ingredients were mixed until completely dispersed (15-20 min). 3. A Water, EDTA and Hyaluronic acid premix was made. EDETA BD was added to water in a seperate beaker and mixed until completely dissolved. The Hyaluronic acid premix was added and the ingredients were mixed until uniform (30 min). 4. Glycerine was added into the water phase and mixed until uniform. 5. The mixture was heated to 70-75° C. 6. Olivem 1000 was added; the ingredients were then mixed for 5 min. and cooling to 60-65° C. was started. 7. At 60-65° C. ARISTOFLEX AVC was added, and the ingredients were mixed until completely dispersed (20 minutes). The temperature was maintained at 60-65° C. 8. SODIUM HYDROXIDE (10% soln) was added to neutralize the water phase. 9. Cooling to below 60° C. was begun. 10. After cooling to 60° C., DOW CORNING 200 50 cst was added and the ingredients were mixed until uniform. 11. DOW CORNING 345 was added to the water phase and mixed for 10 minutes. 12. DOW CORNING 1403 Fluid was added and mixed for 15 minutes or until uniform. 13. After cooling to below 35° C., the following were added one by one: NEOLONE MxP, PORTULACA EXTRACT, PRODEW 300, Alpha Bisabalol, Water, EDTA; Hyluronic Acid Premix (step-3), Sepitonic M3, and Seamollient. The resulting mixture was mixed until uniform. 14. After ensuring there were no lumps, the Dry flo pure (item 6) premixed with Butylene Glycol (item 7) was added. 15. The Net-DG premixed with fragrance was then added and the ingredients were mixed until uniform. 16. In a separate vessel, the 75% 4-HR and water were mixed to form a high clarity aqueous concentrate, which was then added to the other ingredients. 17. The resulting composition was then homogenized for 3 min.

Example IV

The composition of Example III was evaluated for topical anti-inflammatory activity on human epidermal equivalents. Epidermal equivalents (EPI 200 HCF) that were multilayer and differentiated epidermis consisting of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (MatTek, Ashland, Mass.) were used. Upon receipt, the epidermal equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. in maintenance medium without hydrocortisone. Equivalents were topically treated (2 mg/cm²) with the composition of Example III for 2 hours before exposure to 100 ng/mL of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α(TNFα, Sigma-Aldrich of St. Louis, Mo.). Equivalents were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. with maintenance medium. The supernatants were analyzed for IL-8 cytokine release using commercially available kits (Upstate Biotechnology, Charlottesville, Va.). The results are depicted on Table 3.

TABLE 3 Percent Inhibition of Skin Treatment Inflammation Placebo 14.88 Example III Composition 77.89** **Indicates significant difference from placebo treated using a student's t-Test with significance set at P < 0.05.

The composition of Example III significantly reduced inflammation. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. An aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol consisting of from about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol, water, and an additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, organic sunscreens, retinoids, and combinations thereof, wherein the aqueous concentrate is high in clarity.
 20. The aqueous concentrate of claim 19, wherein the aqueous concentrate transmits at least 25% of light having a wavelength of 700 nm through a 1 cm path length.
 21. The aqueous concentrate of claim 19 wherein the additional ingredient is present at a concentration of less than about 20% by weight of the aqueous concentrate.
 22. A formulated composition comprising a) an aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol consisting of from about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol and water, and b) a secondary composition comprising a cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of anti-acne agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-mycotic agents, anti-parasite agents, external analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, vitamins, anti-perspiration agents, deodorants, skin (de)pigmentation agents anti-aging/anti-wrinkle agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, and anti-oxidants.
 23. The formulated composition of claim 22, wherein the cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agent is selected from the group consisting of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle agents and anti-oxidants.
 24. The formulated composition of claim 22 in the form of solution, dispersion, emulsion, microemulsion, liposomal system, gel, lotion, cream, stick, spray, or ointment.
 25. A method of treating a sign of skin aging, which comprises topically applying to skin in need of treatment for one or more signs of skin aging a formulated composition comprising a) an aqueous concentrate of 4-hexylresorcinol consisting of from about 64% to about 80% by weight of 4-hexylresorcinol and water, and b) a secondary composition comprising a cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of anti-acne agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-mycotic agents, anti-parasite agents, external analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectors, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, vitamins, anti-perspiration agents, deodorants, skin (de)pigmentation agents anti-aging/anti-wrinkle agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, and anti-oxidants.
 26. The formulated composition of claim 25, wherein the cosmetically or pharmaceutically active agent is selected from the group consisting of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle agents and anti-oxidants.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the formulated composition is in the form of solution, dispersion, emulsion, microemulsion, liposomal system, gel, lotion, cream, stick, spray, or ointment. 